What is windows service, how to configure windows services? Suggested unnecessary windows service

On Microsoft Windows operating systems, a Windows service is a long-running executable that performs specific functions and which is designed not to require user intervention. Windows services can be configured to start when the operating system is booted and run in the background as long as Windows is running, or they can be started manually when required.

How to configure windows services?

Once a service is installed, it can be managed by launching "Services" from the Windows Control Panel -- Administrative Tools or typing "Services.msc" in the Run command on Start menu. The "Services" management console provides a brief description of the service functions and displays the path to the service executable, its current status, startup type, dependencies and the account under which the service is running. It lets users to do the following:

1. Start, stop, pause or restart services.

2. Specify service parameters.

3. Change the startup type which includes Automatic, Manual, Disabled, and Automatic (Delayed):

a. Automatic: it starts the services at system logon.

b. Manual: it starts a service as required or when called from an application (according to definition, but only some of the time in practice, depending on the service).

c. Disabled: it completely disables the service and prevents it and its dependencies from running.

d Automatic (Delayed): it is a new startup type introduced in Windows Vista or Windows 7, that makes the service to start a short while after the system has finished booting and initial busy operations, which make the computer boot up faster.

4. Change the account under which the service logs on.

5. Configure recovery options upon service failure.

6. Export the list of services as a text file or a CSV file.

Suggested unnecessary windows services

Warning: before you turn off any windows services, you should know the nature of them. Otherwise, it will cause serious problems!

1. Alerter: You can disable this one if you are not using network because you do not need to receive alerts.
2. Application Management: You can set this to manual.
3. Automatic Updates: You can disable it if you do not require auto updating and patching of Windows.
4. ClipBook: You can disable this if you are not using network, since you do not need to share anything.
5. Computer Browser: You can disable this too if you are not using network, as you do not need to browse and monitor connected computers.
6. Cryptographic Services: You can set this to manual if you are not sure you need it.
7. Distributed Transaction Service: You can set this to manual.
8. DNS Client: You can set this to manual if you are not using network.
9. Error Reporting Service: You can disable this service for reporting errors to Microsoft.
10. Fast User Switching Compatibility: You can disable it if you have only a single user on your computer, or if you do not use fast user switching feature much. That is, if you completely log-off and then allow other users to use your computer, then you do not need this. Note that this service is completely useless for low memory computers.
11. FTP Publishing: You can disable this if you do not use FTP.
12. Help and Support: You can set it to manual or turn it off if you do not use the help feature often.
13. HTTP SSL: You can set it to manual.
14. Human Interface Device Access: Turn it off if you do not use hot-keys or remote systems on your computer; if you use them sometimes, it is better change it to manual.
15. IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service: You can set this to manual to save memory and time. Do not turn it to disabled if you have a CD writer or a DVD writer attached to your computer.
16. Indexing Service: Turn it off because it uses too much CPU.
17. Install Driver Table Manager: You can disable it.
18. IPSEC Services: You can set this to manual.
19. Windows Messenger: You can disable this if you are not using network. It uses too much memory.
20. MS Software Shadow Copy Provider: You can set this to manual.
21. Net Logon: You can disable if you are not using network.
22. NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing: You can disable this if you do not use Remote Desktop feature.
23. Network Provisioning Service: You can disable this, it is useless if you are not using network.
24. NT LM Security Support Provider: You can disable this.
25. Office Source Engine: You can disable it if you have a MS Office CD handy always, its helpful if your installation goes corrupt.
26. Portable Media Serial Number Service: You can set it to manual if you connect portable media to your computer, otherwise You can disable it.
27. Print Spooler: You can disable it if you do not have a printer.
28. Protected Storage: You can disable it if you do not allow strangers to sit on your encrypted storage computer.
29. Remote Desktop Help Session Manager: You can disable it if you do not use Remote Desktop feature for help and support from Microsoft. You do not get support from Microsoft usually anyways.
30. Remote Procedure Call Locator: You can set it to manual.
31. Remote Registry: Serious security threat if turned on, You need to disable it.
32. Removable Storage: You can disable it if you do not use removable storage drives, else turn it manual.
33. Routing and Remote Access: You can set it to manual.
34. Secondary Logon: You can disable it or change it to manual.
35. Security Accounts Manager: You can disable it, it is pretty useless, unless you use NTFS Encryption.
36. Security Center: You can disable it as soon as you can!
37. Server: You can set it to manual or You can disable it if you are not on network.
38. Smart Card: You can disable if smart cards are not used.
39. SSDP Discovery Service: You can disable it if you are not using network or do not have UPnP devices on home networks.
40. TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: You can set it to manual if on network, otherwise You can disable it.
41. Telnet: You can set it to manual if you use this feature, otherwise You can disable it, especially if you are home users.
42. Terminal Services: Since you aren¡¯t using Remote Desktop etc. You can disable it for good.
43. Uninterrupted Power Supply: You can disable it if you do not have an UPS attached to the serial port of your computer.
44. Universal Plug and Play Device Host: You can set it to manual.
45. User Privilege Service: You can set it to manual.
46. Volume Shadow Copy: You can disable it if you do not backup using System Restore or Windows Backup.
47. Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS): You can disable this if you have another firewall such as Norton installed, otherwise let it remain ON for better security.
48. Windows Image Acquisition (WIA): If you do not connect/use a camera/scanner with your computer, You can disable this service, or you can set it to manual.
49. Windows Media Connect: You can disable this if you do not use things such as an iPod etc. for your Windows Media Player.
50. Windows Media Connect (WMC) Helper: You can disable this if you disabled the one above or if you do not need help.
51. Windows Time: You can disable if not on a synchronized network.
52. Wireless Zero Configuration: You can disable if not on a wireless network.
53. WMI Performance Adapters: You can disable it, useless service for basic usage.
54. Workstation: You can disable if you are not using a network.